A hearty egg-and-cheese pie from an Oregon reader came out on top in our olive-themed contest.

Sweet-and-salty appetizers from a North Carolina reader came out on top in our pineapple-themed contest.

A Texas reader's twist on chips and dip came out on top in our pickle-themed contest.

Chairman's Challenge: A Tennessee reader’s sweet-and-tangy ceviche edged out the competition in our citrus-themed recipe contest

Espresso-flavored custard from a Dallas reader came out on top in our coffee-themed recipe contest.

Sweet scones from a California reader came out on top in our coconut-themed contest.

Enjoy a refreshingly cool (and super healthy) soup this summer. Traditional gazpacho is a pureed mixture of fresh tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, onions, celery and cucumbers but don’t be afraid to get creative. Shake things up—blend a batch of watermelon, red pepper or white grape gazpacho instead.

Want something more exciting than bottled beer for your game-day bash? If your friends are Bloody Mary fans, this Mexican cocktail might be a winner. Lime and hot sauce liven up the flavor without adding calories.

Dig in to these delicious frozen treats that are reminiscent of Italian ices. Granita’s are harder in texture than sorbets and contain less sugar. To make a granita, cook up a simple sugar (combo of sugar and water) and add flavors such as coffee, mint, juice and wine along with fruit. Once the mixture has begun to freeze (it takes about 3 hours), scrape the ice crystals every so often as they start to form. Once frozen, scoop and serve.

Chutney is a simmered-down or pureed combo of fruit (or veggies), spices and herbs. Instead of deep frying or drowning your fish, pork or meat in heavy sauces, opt for a tangy bite of chutney instead.